In spite of Argentina’s triumph over France in the 2022 World Cup Final on Sunday in Qatar, Lionel Messi has no plans to leave the Argentina national team.
“I won’t be leaving the national team, I assure you. I want to continue wearing the Argentina jersey and playing as World Cup champions “As reported by insider Fabrizio Romano, Messi told TyC Sports.
Argentina took a 1-0 lead after Messi’s penalty shot in the 23rd minute, and ngel Di Mara made it 2-0 in the 36th.
At Lusail Stadium, La Albiceleste led France 2-0 at the break, but anarchy erupted late in the second half and during extra time to produce one of the most thrilling World Cup finals ever.
Argentinian fans were left stunned when France’s Kylian Mbappé tied the game in the 81st minute after scoring on a penalty kick in the 80th to give Les Bleus some hope.
Messi scored his second goal of the contest in the 108th minute to give his nation a 3-2 lead as Argentina and France continued to trade blows in extra time. But in the 118th minute, Mbappé scored on a penalty kick to give La Albiceleste the lead just as they believed they had won.
Argentina won the match 4-2 on penalties after the score remained locked at 3-3 after 120 minutes to give Messi his first World Cup victory.
After tallying seven goals and three assists in Qatar, the 35-year-old was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s outstanding player. He became the first player in history to win the Golden Ball twice when he also won it in 2014.
Messi, one of the greatest athletes to ever play the game, made his senior national team debut for Argentina in 2005. Messi assisted Argentina in winning the 2022 World Cup, the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 Finalissima, and the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The 2022 World Cup was widely believed to be his final tournament, but now that he has dispelled retirement rumors, he might captain Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, when he will be 39.
Even though he might not be the same player, Messi will undoubtedly make it happen if he wants to return to the World Cup in four years.
